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An online catalogue of early (1840 to 1852) colonial works by S.T. Gill.
STATUS : IN PROGRESS
This is a select catalogue of S.T. Gill's early colonial works. The focus is on S.T. Gill's life and work from his arrival in South Australia in December 1839 up to his early time at the Victorian gold rush in 1852-53. This catalogue is digital and is a work in progress.
(Left) Detail from NLA nla.obj-134355141.
This is not a traditional catalogue raisonné in the sense of being fully self-contained. It is however a "reasoned catalogue" and can be thought of as an extra online layer sitting above the catalogues of collecting institutions – a supra-catalogue. I'm calling it a cattle dog raisonné – a phrase I think Gill might like.
This project owes much to the 1986 catalogue of Appleyard, Fargher and Radford (reference below). I had several reasons for revisiting their anaylsis:
Appleyard et al grouped works mostly on a thematic basis:
In my analysis I sometimes differ from previous authorities. Specifically I occasionally re-attribute authorship from other artists to Gill (in particular from G.F. Angas and W.A. Cawthorne). I explain the rational in these cases and note the artist as "Gill, S.T. (attr.)."
A traditional catalogue raisonné is typically in chronological order. On the other hand, several modern online catalogue raisonnés are accessed by search crtiteria and so are not presented in any order as such.
My approach is to place each work in a catalogue group based on date, client and purpose of execution. I think such context helps us better understand the art and artist. (Being realistic, it won't always be possible to achieve neat groupings, so I expect to need some broader groups of convenience.)
My project significantly redates Gill's early South Australian works and places them in a strong narrative context. The project integrates catalogue, narrative and analytical articles with interactive online maps.
Art works are in catalogue groups generally based around date and client. Within each group, I list each art work, together with a link to its description within the catalogue group web page. On the catalogue group web page there is a link to the art work's reference in the collecting institution.
Key to Collecting Institutions.
I will progressively add documentation for new catalogue groups, as well as occasionally update the contents of existing catalogue groups.
A more complete listing of all works analysed and referenced to date is in S.T. Gill: Index of Works. This includes the many works displayed on online maps but not yet assigned to a catalogue group, as well as book plates based on known Gill originals.
Catalogue groups are listed in general chronological order. Click on the group to jump down to a more detailed list of the group members and links to the web page articles.
Key to Collecting Institutions.
1840. Two portraits of John Ainsworth Horrocks known only by early black and white photographs. I attribute them to Gill and date them to early 1840.
Previously attributed to Governor George Gawler, this is by Gill for Gawler in 1840/1841. The earliest known picture of new Government House. It's before Gill developed his typical foreground doodling and busyness of characters.
1840/1846. Simple postcard sized wash drawings labelled 'Series of Adelaide Views' and numbered (on the back) showing the built environment of Adelaide and the Port.
H. C. Jervis made engravings in Adelaide of landmark buildings in 1841-1842. Initials "C.W.C" on them became an authorship red herring. More likely they're based on originals by S. T. Gill. There are links too with the 1842 Kingston map.
1844~. Set of 8 wash drawings of South Australian scenes - natural, Aboriginal, rural and the built environment, based on subjects in J.F. Bennett's book. Plus other related works.
Lieutenant John Napier Magill (1819-1848), 96th Regiment, posted to South Australia 1842-1846. Magill was a flautist and artist, painting views of Flinders Street barracks. Gill watercolours for Magill and Captain W.D. Chard.
S. T. Gill was in the Barossa sketching for the Angas family from 29 October to 4 November 1844. I identify some works as well as influences on Angas publications "South Australia Illustrated" and "Barossa Range and its neighbourhood".
1844/1845. Watercolours for Captain E.C. Frome, Surveyor General and Colonial Engineer.
Works by S.T. Gill in the period 1844 to 1846, not elsewhere included.
On 16 December 1844 explorer Edward John Eyre departs Adelaide on the barque 'Symmetry' for England, taking with him paintings by Gill.
WA Cawthorne (1824-1897): school teacher, amateur artist, documenter of Aboriginal culture. George French Angas' "South Australia Illustrated". The relationship with Gill, his art master from February 1845.
Analysis of a pencil sketch of the German village of Klemzig. A comparison of the Klemzig pictures of F.R. Nixon, G. F. Angas and S.T. Gill. I re-attribute the sketch from Angas to Gill, revealing more of the collaboration between them.
1844-45. George French Angas made a splash in South Australia in two visits (interrupted by a trip to New Zealand). He left on 2 July 1845, a fortnight after his art exhibition and its associated controversy.
September-November 1845. Series of watercolours and wash drawings commissioned by James Allen for his 1846 promotional lecture tour of England.
After the commission for James Allen and South Australian Company, in November 1845 Gill briefly trialled Daguerreotype (photography). Little is known about what he did next, up until the time he left on Horrocks' expedition in July 1846.
1844/1846. Eliezer Levi Montefiore – businessman and Gill student.
Some of Gill's pictures were used by George French Angas in London in 1846-1847: in his Egyptian Hall exhibition and his books South Australia Illustrated and Savage Life and Scenes.
S.T. Gill accompanied John Ainsworth Horrocks' small expedition from July to September 1846. This article focusses on Gill's artistic work on the expedition, rather than his exhibition works after returning.
September 1846 to January 1847. Gill develops his series of 33 works of the Horrocks' expedition, raffled and shown at the February 1847 Exhibition of Pictures.
An overarching outline of 1847 with links to catalogue articles on Gill's major efforts that year. This article also includes 1847 works not catalogued elsewhere.
'An Exhibition of Pictures, principally the work of Colonial Artists' ran over a week from Thursday 11 February 1847 and showed 178 pictures. Gill was the most prolific exhibitor with 62 entries, including his 33 work Horrocks series.
1846/February 1847. Five vignettes showing activities of Aboriginal people. For George Hamilton who over-painted two of the pictures. Extensive reverse notes transcribed.
February-April 1847. To illustrate Charles Sturt's book 'Narrative of an Expedition into Central Australia ...'. Watercolours (known and unknown) by Gill.
In April 1847 S.T. Gill sketched the Burra Burra Mine and its township Kooringa on behalf of the South Australian Mining Association (SAMA). He made a set of seven views. Several SAMA proprietors ordered copy sets.
Winter 1847. 'The Seasons and The Months'. A series originally of 16 pictures commissioned by Lieutenant John Roe. 'July' is missing. Key to redating Gill's work.
1848. Second exhibition of artists. Economic depression in Britain impacted Gill's moneyed clients. But year end heralded a broader market for Gill's works with the arrival in Adelaide of lithographers Penman and Co.
1849. Ten wash drawings of South Australian scenes - natural, Aboriginal, rural and exploration - likely for Captain John Bishop of Port Lincoln.
January 1849. Twelve wash drawings of South Australian scenes - natural, Aboriginal and rural - possibly intended for lithography.
February 1849: Sectional sketches of Kapunda copper mine for Captain E.C. Frome, Surveyor General and Colonial Engineer.
December 1848 - August 1849. Lithographers Penman & Co.; J.A. Gilfillan; T. Rider; Gill's 'Heads of the People' in May, July, August 1849.
September 1849 - February 1850. Fetes and house paintings. Gill embraced lithography and its larger market, whilst continuing watercolours for clients.
December 1849 - early 1850. A lithograph (Penman & Co.) of a fete at Prospect House on 20 December 1849. Five watercolours in 1850 of the house, grounds and setting for J.B. Graham.
In February 1850 S.T. Gill returned to the Burra Burra Mine and its township Kooringa to refresh images for the South Australian Mining Association (SAMA). Featured: Patent Copper Company's smelting works and Roach's engine-house.
March 1850 to March 1851. Changing fortunes. Prospect House; Gill's Newfoundland dog; competition from oil painters; portraits from Daguerreotypes; Gill's hand injury; financial pressure; William Vansittart's horse portraits.
March 1851. The story behind S.T. Gill's cheeky lithograph of the Old Colonists' Festival Dinner.
Gold became the topic of interest in May 1851. Gill insolvent. Series of 3 lithographs of Adelaide's main streets, suggest the view was to the east and gold. Horse portraits. Angas paints NSW diggings.
Catalogue groups are listed in approximate chronological order. Select the link to a catalogue group web page or to a specific art work on the catalogue group web page. (From there you will find a link to the collecting institution.)
1840. Two portraits of John Ainsworth Horrocks known only by early black and white photographs. I attribute them to Gill and date them to early 1840.
Previously attributed to Governor George Gawler, this is by Gill for Gawler in 1840/1841. The earliest known picture of new Government House. It's before Gill developed his typical foreground doodling and busyness of characters.
1840/1846. Simple postcard sized wash drawings labelled 'Series of Adelaide Views' and numbered (on the back) showing the built environment of Adelaide and the Port.
H. C. Jervis made engravings in Adelaide of landmark buildings in 1841-1842. Initials "C.W.C" on them became an authorship red herring. More likely they're based on originals by S. T. Gill. There are links too with the 1842 Kingston map.
1844~. Set of 8 wash drawings of South Australian scenes - natural, Aboriginal, rural and the built environment, based on subjects in J.F. Bennett's book. Plus other related works.
Lieutenant John Napier Magill (1819-1848), 96th Regiment, posted to South Australia 1842-1846. Magill was a flautist and artist, painting views of Flinders Street barracks. Gill watercolours for Magill and Captain W.D. Chard.
S. T. Gill was in the Barossa sketching for the Angas family from 29 October to 4 November 1844. I identify some works as well as influences on Angas publications "South Australia Illustrated" and "Barossa Range and its neighbourhood".
1844/1845. Watercolours for Captain E.C. Frome, Surveyor General and Colonial Engineer.
Works by S.T. Gill in the period 1844 to 1846, not elsewhere included.
On 16 December 1844 explorer Edward John Eyre departs Adelaide on the barque 'Symmetry' for England, taking with him paintings by Gill.
WA Cawthorne (1824-1897): school teacher, amateur artist, documenter of Aboriginal culture. George French Angas' "South Australia Illustrated". The relationship with Gill, his art master from February 1845.
Analysis of a pencil sketch of the German village of Klemzig. A comparison of the Klemzig pictures of F.R. Nixon, G. F. Angas and S.T. Gill. I re-attribute the sketch from Angas to Gill, revealing more of the collaboration between them.
1844-45. George French Angas made a splash in South Australia in two visits (interrupted by a trip to New Zealand). He left on 2 July 1845, a fortnight after his art exhibition and its associated controversy.
September-November 1845. Series of watercolours and wash drawings commissioned by James Allen for his 1846 promotional lecture tour of England.
After the commission for James Allen and South Australian Company, in November 1845 Gill briefly trialled Daguerreotype (photography). Little is known about what he did next, up until the time he left on Horrocks' expedition in July 1846.
1844/1846. Eliezer Levi Montefiore – businessman and Gill student.
Some of Gill's pictures were used by George French Angas in London in 1846-1847: in his Egyptian Hall exhibition and his books South Australia Illustrated and Savage Life and Scenes.
S.T. Gill accompanied John Ainsworth Horrocks' small expedition from July to September 1846. This article focusses on Gill's artistic work on the expedition, rather than his exhibition works after returning.
September 1846 to January 1847. Gill develops his series of 33 works of the Horrocks' expedition, raffled and shown at the February 1847 Exhibition of Pictures.
An overarching outline of 1847 with links to catalogue articles on Gill's major efforts that year. This article also includes 1847 works not catalogued elsewhere.
'An Exhibition of Pictures, principally the work of Colonial Artists' ran over a week from Thursday 11 February 1847 and showed 178 pictures. Gill was the most prolific exhibitor with 62 entries, including his 33 work Horrocks series.
1846/February 1847. Five vignettes showing activities of Aboriginal people. For George Hamilton who over-painted two of the pictures. Extensive reverse notes transcribed.
February-April 1847. To illustrate Charles Sturt's book 'Narrative of an Expedition into Central Australia ...'. Watercolours (known and unknown) by Gill.
In April 1847 S.T. Gill sketched the Burra Burra Mine and its township Kooringa on behalf of the South Australian Mining Association (SAMA). He made a set of seven views. Several SAMA proprietors ordered copy sets.
Winter 1847. 'The Seasons and The Months'. A series originally of 16 pictures commissioned by Lieutenant John Roe. 'July' is missing. Key to redating Gill's work.
1848. Second exhibition of artists. Economic depression in Britain impacted Gill's moneyed clients. But year end heralded a broader market for Gill's works with the arrival in Adelaide of lithographers Penman and Co.
1849. Ten wash drawings of South Australian scenes - natural, Aboriginal, rural and exploration - likely for Captain John Bishop of Port Lincoln.
January 1849. Twelve wash drawings of South Australian scenes - natural, Aboriginal and rural - possibly intended for lithography.
February 1849: Sectional sketches of Kapunda copper mine for Captain E.C. Frome, Surveyor General and Colonial Engineer.
December 1848 - August 1849. Lithographers Penman & Co.; J.A. Gilfillan; T. Rider; Gill's 'Heads of the People' in May, July, August 1849.
September 1849 - February 1850. Fetes and house paintings. Gill embraced lithography and its larger market, whilst continuing watercolours for clients.
December 1849 - early 1850. A lithograph (Penman & Co.) of a fete at Prospect House on 20 December 1849. Five watercolours in 1850 of the house, grounds and setting for J.B. Graham.
In February 1850 S.T. Gill returned to the Burra Burra Mine and its township Kooringa to refresh images for the South Australian Mining Association (SAMA). Featured: Patent Copper Company's smelting works and Roach's engine-house.
March 1850 to March 1851. Changing fortunes. Prospect House; Gill's Newfoundland dog; competition from oil painters; portraits from Daguerreotypes; Gill's hand injury; financial pressure; William Vansittart's horse portraits.
March 1851. The story behind S.T. Gill's cheeky lithograph of the Old Colonists' Festival Dinner.
Gold became the topic of interest in May 1851. Gill insolvent. Series of 3 lithographs of Adelaide's main streets, suggest the view was to the east and gold. Horse portraits. Angas paints NSW diggings.
David Coombe, 2021-2025. Updated 14 August 2025. | text copyright (except where indicated)
CITE THIS: David Coombe, 2021-2025, S.T. Gill - Select Catalogue of Works, accessed dd mmm yyyy, <https://coombe.id.au/S_T_Gill/catalogue_of_works.htm>